n. & v.
n. 1 a flower or a mass of flowers, esp. of a fruit-tree. 2 the stage or time of flowering (the cherry tree in blossom). 3 a promising stage (the blossom of youth).
v.intr. 1 open into flower. 2 reach a promising stage; mature, thrive. blossomy adj.
[ OE blostm(a) prob. formed as BLOOM(1) ]